If you ever find yourself tempted to buy a truck and/or SUV, just remember one thing: they’re not worth it. They’re a societal nuisance. They’re a massive pollutant. The maintenance, repair, and insurance will cost you a whole lot more. Aside from the aforementioned pollution, They’re overall environmental impact is egregious. These monstrosities are best left alone.

If you ever have to do any sort heavy work, rent one instead. Want to live that outdoors lifestyle? A sedan and/or hatchback will do. Just buy a bike and roof rack. Got a family? Again, sedan and/or hatchback will do but also consider a station wagon. Better yet, buy a cargo bike like the Urban Arrow or the Dutch bakfiets. These are way better options to those climate-changing abominations.

I know what I’m writing isn’t anything groundbreaking but I’m writing this mostly get something off my chest in relation to a dream I had last night. The dream itself was quite boring: I was driving around in a new Ford Bronco. The thing was that, in the dream, I was quite happy about it. This happy feeling was still felt when I woke up. For a brief moment, I was thinking about buying a Bronco. I soon returned to reality. But I’m not going to lie; the temptation was strong. The temptation was made stronger by nostalgia. I grew up with these kinds of vehicles. My dad worked in labor-intense, blue collar jobs that used trucks. He even owned some himself. But, once again, they’re not worth it.

19 points

Yeah, they have their place as working vehicles. Unfortunately too many are just pavement princess trucks. They might haul a few hundred pounds (not counting the driver) a few times a year.

It’s the mindset of fear and envy that underpins consumerism that needs to change.

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11 points

No, the huge american pickuptrucks does not have a place as working vehicles, the are too big and too fragile, get a WV Transport pickup or van, way more practical than a huge F-150 or similar

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-6 points

It’s absolutely not easier to rent a truck 10 times a year. You people just assume that people don’t need or use this shit from one old ass survey.

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1 point

Yeah, that’s just not a realistic idea, especially considering the time it takes to do so, and that you can only get one during working hours.

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6 points

I never mentioned renting?

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9 points

also consider a station wagon

Do they still make those?

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7 points
*

It’s been harder and harder to find them in North America over the last few years. I think in Canada its just the premium German manufacturers (Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche) and Volvo who still have them.

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4 points

If I’m not mistaken, they still sell them in “big” numbers in the EU. The only car sold in the U.S that could be considered a “station wagon” is the Subaru Outback but the latest models have become way too bloated. Technically speaking, the “station wagon” (or “estate” if you’re British) no longer exists since it has (mostly) merge with the equally abysmal “crossover.”

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1 point

Subaru markets the Outback as an SUV, and has done since at least 2004.

The new ones are utterly hideous, I agree with that.

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1 point

According to my insurance company, not only is an Outback a station wagon, but so is my Forester. It gives me a nice discount.

I imagine it’s something silly, like fitting crossovers into an old category when determining rates

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1 point

I see them a lot in Colorado

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3 points

In europe they sell like crazy, the volvo V90 is cery popular, but even the WV Golf has a station wagon configuration

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6 points

*bakfiets. Don’t forget the s.

It’s a bike (fiets) with a bin/container (bak) in front of it.

Anyway, I think you’re preaching to the choir here.

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2 points

True, although these posts do reach /all from time to time.

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3 points

You’re very much right. Like I said in the post, this was intended as something of a personal log entry rather than a thought-provoking discussion. I get very tempted to buy these pieces of shit when I know that I don’t need them. I vaguely mentioned the “outdoors lifestyle” since that’s one of the biggest appeals to consumers. What they fail to realize is that a mountain bike or even a simple hike offer a better off-roading experience. Also, thank you for the spell check.

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1 point

I think you should live your dream and buy that Bronco. It’ll take you places no pushbike will, and with more gear and food.

Or drive it to the trailhead, and continue on foot.

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30 points

Just fix the laws in the US, and pickups and trucks for personal use will be as about nonexistent as in Europe.

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2 points

Trucks don’t innately get worse mileage and not all trucks are big. Also, a new vehicle, including big trucks, will be better on the environment than a 20yr old wagon. Age is more relevant than model. You seem to be off track here.

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